Published 6:08 pm, Friday, July 5, 2013

There was a great turnout, despite the brief period of rain. Everyone was in a festive mood and happy.

When the fireworks started, the children were excited and loved the light show. But from where we were sitting, not in the middle, you could not hear the music or the announcer.

This really took away from some of the enjoyment of the show.

The fireworks were beautiful, but the sound was not.

Tuere Williams

Stamford

Complaint

in stereo

To the editor:

Good job by Mayor Michael Pavia and all departments of the City of Stamford for putting on a great fireworks show Wednesday night. The only drawback for my wife and I was we could not hear the music that was part of the fireworks show.

The long-awaited return of fireworks in Stamford is over and boy was it worth the wait! What a spectacular show we had -- thanks to the Grucci magic! Mother Nature played her role by not thunder-storming but also by drenching us about an hour before the show, I suspect just to test that we were really committed to the event. Committed we were and we were well-rewarded with an awesome display of pyrotechnics. Many thanks to Reckson SL Green Corp, Garden Homes Management, Fairway Market and O&G for their generous contributions to bring fireworks back to Stamford ­-- an annual tradition for many Stamford families. Thank you also to all the officers who kept an eye out for us and helped us get home safely. The Karukas family is eternally grateful and cannot wait for next year ... we are already planning our next fireworks party!

Rudi Karukas

Stamford

Martin a brave candidate

To the editor:

As a long-time resident of Stamford and someone who cares very much about our city, I feel compelled to comment on our upcoming mayoral election.

I refer to Jack Cavanaugh's recent column (June 27) in The Stamford Advocate. He gives credit where credit is due. He recognizes David Martin as the only Stamford mayoral candidate to take a public stance on Bridgewater's relocation to our city. While other candidates continue to avoid the issue, we must applaud Mr. Martin for taking a position on the issue.

The rest of the mayoral slate's silence begs the question: Why haven't any other candidates released public stances? Are they trying to take advantage of big money from big developers? Until they offer answers, we can only assume the worst.

Campaign filings show that while William Tong and Michael Fedele chase outside money to bankroll their campaigns, David Martin promises to put the interests of Stamford residents first. Though he favors Bridgewater's relocation to our city, he rejects the terms of the current license agreement. From his 30 years of experience in city government including his current service on the Board of Finance, Mr. Martin knows an unfair bargain when he sees one. The deal Building and Land Technology (BLT) offers in exchange for developing Bridgewater's corporate headquarters isn't sufficient.

Regardless of one's opinion on the Bridgewater relocation proposal, we must applaud Martin for taking a stance and clearly communicating his position to residents. We need this quality in our next mayor. We need a mayor who is brave enough to stand up for Stamford residents and not buckle under the influence of outside interests.

Since animal cruelty laws don't apply to wildlife, maiming/killing deer and other wildlife by hunting and trapping is sanctioned by the state, how would the DEEP possibly justify punishing anyone for purposely chasing down and hog-tying a completely defenseless 1-month old fawn whose mother probably left it hidden for safety?

Injured wildlife is routinely hog-tied to prevent further injury to them and to rescuers, but never so tightly as with the zip-ties (cutting off circulation), duct tape, twine, and even a belt -- a slight overkill? Is such overt hatred ever warranted for a tiny fawn? Extreme stress and possible head trauma to the fawn was determined by rehabber Flo Chiapetta, yet the DEEP chose not to pursue animal cruelty charges after determining that none existed -- seriously?

When dogs and cats are shot by arrows or bullets or trapped in medieval barbaric and cruel leghold traps and snares, making the news and shocking most thoughtful readers, do thousands of wildlife yearly in Connecticut not experience the same fear and pain as our companion animals? Why is the public not as outraged by the persistent and systematic cruelty perpetrated on our wildlife by state and federal governments, much at taxpayer expense? Wildlife is held in public trust, belonging to all of us, not just those who pay to maim and kill for a fee.

All employers, including landscape companies, must set and expect certain standards of their employees; no one should have to remain anonymous, fearing loss of job for preventing further animal cruelty by rescuing a helpless fawn.

Compassion for animals should be rewarded, not punished.

Natalie Jarnstedt

Greenwich

A learning opportunity

To the editor:

Despicable barely covers my reaction to the stories about the fawn that was hog-tied by landscapers. I truly hope the DEEP reopens the case simply based on the multiple, conflicting accounts of what happened. That in itself should raise suspicions, let alone the description of the three types of ties used to bind the fawn's legs. It certainly sounds like more force was used than necessary to subdue a baby deer and keep her from hurting herself. However, if indeed that was the case, then serious education needs to be provided to our community.

It is equally unfortunate that the cruelty case was dropped because witnesses did not come forward. Let's hope they realize that unless people speak out nothing will change or that DEEP will offer them anonymity. Cruelty to animals is just that regardless of whether it is to a dog, cat, cow, or fawn and should not be tolerated by society. Neither should children throwing animals against a wall or kicking them down the street. Seriously, who is teaching our children that this is acceptable behavior? Haven't we read enough stories that link criminal behavior later in life to animal abuse as children.

Regardless of the outcome here, this should be the lesson we all learn and fight for. Kudos to Rep. Fred Camillo for speaking out about this and also to (The Advocate) for reporting this story. It is a sad and shameful commentary on how we treat our wildlife and that people out of fear or apathy won't come forward as witnesses. Let's just pray this fawn survives and can be released back to the wild where she belongs. Unfortunately, it probably will not be with her mother.

Sherry Palmer

Riverside

Gap lingers decades

after Mianus collapse

To the editor:

The letter from Richard Silver (Wednesday) rightly reminds us of the tragic consequences of ignoring road and bridge maintenance in this state. The Mianus Bridge tragedy was front-page news all across the country, a clarion call to anyone who has to traverse such a structure.

Sadly, the solution proposed by Mr. Silver is to defer the payment for this work to our children and grandchildren.

Our state government has misappropriated more than $1.3 billion dollars over the last seven years from the gas taxes we collect. These taxes were always meant to pay for maintenance and expansion of our transportation system. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy promises that this practice has to stop, conveniently proposing it will taper down after the next gubernatorial election. If you believe that, I have a derelict bridge to sell you.

Money may be cheap now as Mr. Silver asserts. But the true cost of this kind of government malfeasance will be felt far into the future, and be just as painful then as it was when his client suffered for it. Great bridges are built on strong foundations. Let's hope our legislature and governor stop weakening the very sinews our state relies on for our livelihood. We pay that money to have a safe and secure transit system. Don't steal it.